Some machines now accept the new $5 note, that is not so new now, but plenty still don't. Later this year we will get a new $10 note.

Sydney disaster 1. I can't remember where this was, except it was on southern side of Sydney Harbour and is one of the expensive suburbs.

Sydney disaster 2. Wish I had made a note. I have a feeling, Paddington, Sydney.

Sydney disaster 3.

Isn't this just a lovely photo. I reckon Queenie might be wearing a very tight girdle. I believe she was visiting Australia. The photo may well have been taken on her own yacht, Britannia.

Marie from After 60 - The next 10 has not long returned from the west coast of the United States with some wondrous photos. Of course she visited Yosemite Park. While some things will have changed since 1940, the beauty of the wilderness will not have. Photo from the marvellous historical US photo site, Shorpy.com

Is there an Acland Street near you? Taken with my phone camera.

Ready to travel. We have very small amounts of Singapore dollars, New Zealand dollars, US dollars, Canadian dollars, Japanese yen, Malaysian ringgit, Vietnamese dong, Thai baht, English pounds and Hungarian forint but for some unknown reason we do not have any Euro whatsoever. We had to buy $200 worth, and put $800 in Euro on our travel card.

As best I could understand, the power outlets on our cruise ship will be American and European. R convinced me to spend a bit more and never have to worry again. The plug plugs into the charger unit and then into the wall socket. The first one is Australian and you see how it clips in. The next is US/Canada/Japan, followed by European and last Britain/Singapore/Hong Kong. While we used to carry a six plug power board, technology has moved on and saved us that bother. Four USB charging points for two tablets, two phones, camera and an ebook reader. Still a couple of weeks to go, but we are seriously preparing now.

Sometimes modern phrases can be more descriptive than old ones. We once called it 'burning off'. Now it is called a 'fire fuel reduction burn'. Whatever the name, smoke blanketed Melbourne for two days. I love the smell of burning gum leaves in the morning (a slight adaption of I love the smell of burning napalm in the morning, from Good Morning Vietnam). A northerly breeze arrived and blew all the smoke away to northern Tasmania. Very sorry, Margaret but I believe you are about to send us one of your freezing winds in return.

I suspect you are right about the girdle. Ouch. Not comfortable at all. At least her heels don't look impossibly high (though higher than I would wear).We have had burning off here too. Amidst many complaints about reduced air quality.

I got those a bag of international plugs and converters when you sent me the camera, which I still use, so I could charge it! Where is your cruise taking you? All over the place? Do you get seasick? Or are the boats so large you barely feel the effects of the sea? We get Chinese pollution here sometimes, and sometimes its very dense.

Strayer, I never really thought about you charging the camera. I think you can USB plug it in the computer to charge it. Everything nowadays seems to cope with 110V or like ours, 240V. I haven't sailed on the open seas, so I don't know if I am prone to seasickness. I guess I am about to find out, but I don't think so. Isn't this drifting air pollution an assault on another country?

Victor, no it doesn't look like Paddington. Maybe it was the Kombi that was in Paddington. I can't believe I did not note details. Looking again at the photo and blowing it up a bit, there is old and tight two storey terrace housing, a very steep hill in the background and what looks like an institutional building.

Do I dare correct you and say the napalm saying was uttered by "Kilgore", Robert Duvall's character in the movie "Apocalypse Now"? Oops! I dared! :)

An interesting array of pics, Andrew.

I still remember clearly the train trip from Gympie to Brisbane, along with the rest of my Brownie friends...we were excitedly on our way to see Queen Liz and Phil on their very first visit to our fair shores, in 1954.

Whenever I'm going anywhere for any length of time (which is an extremely rare event these days) I always start packing my suitcase well in advance! None of that last minute panic packing for me! lol

Lee, of course correct me when I am wrong. I thought it was Robin Williams who uttered the line. I haven't seen either movie.

'54 hey. I guess that would be the year of the photo.

Last time we travelled we had plenty of time to pack at the last minute but it ended up in being disorganised and a bit of a panic. I know what reduces panic in any situation, be early and be prepared, and I will be this time.

Adelaide has several Ackland Streets but with a 'k', none near me, and also an Ackland Hill Road which winds through several southern suburbs.It must be confusing having different plugs for different countries, but easier to carry than a six outlet power board. Have you labelled the plugs by country? I'd have to, in case I forgot, then of course in any country only one would fit the configuration on the wall end, so I'd feel silly, but I do like labelling stuff.

River, our Acland Street is often misspelt as Ackland. Now I know why. I have travelled enough to know what sticks into what and where. R has told me that they had different power points in England and when he was young if you bought an electrical appliance, it came with just wires and no plug, and you had to fit your own to suit your sockets.

Yes, we did get all your smoke on lovely sunny warmish days, then all doors and windows had to be closed. Cold from Antarctica not Tasmania, Andrew, so be prepared :) I recall once came with electrical small goods some international plugs.I'm always interested in those signs, for me it's amazing how far other places are and in what direction.

Yes, when I see directional signs like that, I always look at them. I remember being in Banff, Canada and there was a directional sign thingie to various major world destinations. Never mind you not getting a gig, even Melbourne did not.

My public diary, not my private one. I live in a highrise apartment building in inner Melbourne. My interests are varied but top of the list are old buildings, history and public transport. You will find plenty of personal experiences to read in my blog too. Just be aware I am not an historian, amateur or otherwise. While I make some effort to be accurate, I don't do proper methodical research so I advise you check all details on your own behalf should you wish to quote me. Your comments are very welcome, but try to be nice to my fragile yet overblown ego. I enjoy receiving email. You can find my eddress in my complete profile.